ARCS Oregon alum, Alex Bartlett, received the OHSU Innovation Award for Early Career Innovator on March 14, 2024. Alex is a third-year postdoctoral research fellow in Dr. Robert Eil’s lab, funded by the Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship.  

Dr. Eil, a surgeon-scientist, specializing in treating patients with cancers of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas, was also recognized at the event, receiving the New Innovator of the Year award. 

The OHSU Faculty Excellence and Innovation Awards recognize exceptionally creative early and middle-stage investigators. OHSU deans, directors, and chairs nominate a single candidate from their respective schools, programs, and departments. Prominent scientists from institutions around the country review applications. Finalists and nominees are viewed as the future leaders of OHSU. 

The awards are made possible by the Silver Family Innovation Fund. 

Alex recently submitted a patent on a T-cell therapy for solid tumors and founded a company, VertaBio, to bring the technology to market. 

Congratulations, Alex!  

When Alex is not in the lab, she and her husband, Will, stay busy with various house projects and enjoy spending time with their dogs, including their new puppy, Olive. 

Alex's donors are Jane & Joe Gray, Per Jarnberg & Joan Foley